Vikings and America

Excavations at L´Anse aux Meadows in northern Newfoundland have revealed the presence of the Vikings around AD 1000. But was this the mysterious Vinland (´land of grapevines´) which, according to the Icelandic sagas, Leif Eriksson discovered almost one thousand years ago? In his account Wahlgren argues for a location farther south and also suggests Viking exploration far to the North. He also answers the question: »Why did the Vikings eventually leave the New World?« with his theory that a worsening climate and attacks by native Eskimos and Indians put paid to the first European presence in North America.